I would either make a platform using 2 ladders and some 2x planking (ie: 2×10's or 2×12's), or use drywall stilts.

Cheers,
Brad

 

Tool rental is the answer here. They will have everything from Drywall stilts to full on scaffolding. Making a strong frame isn't hard to do, but seriously if you are having to ask how to go about it, for safety reasons you might want to consider rental.

If you insist on making a platform, the end verticals should be full height, and for 2×4 construction, dispense with "joinery" as such, like yours is showing those small blocks between your horizontals is an accident waiting to collapse. Instead just overlap the 2×4's fully, and screw through them. Triple your crossing members, and soon you will have a sturdy platform.

Like below, add plenty of crossing supports, top, bottom, and a few at 45 degrees. Sheath the top with plywood. Using screws will let you disassemble after it's done.

 

Tool rental is the answer here. They will have everything from Drywall stilts to full on scaffolding. Making a strong frame isn t hard to do, but seriously if you are having to ask how to go about it, for safety reasons you might want to consider rental.

If you insist on making a platform, the end verticals should be full height, and for 2×4 construction, dispense with "joinery" as such, like yours is showing those small blocks between your horizontals is an accident waiting to collapse. Instead just overlap the 2×4 s fully, and screw through them. Triple your crossing members, and soon you will have a sturdy platform.

Like below, add plenty of crossing supports, top, bottom, and a few at 45 degrees. Sheath the top with plywood. Using screws will let you disassemble after it s done.

- therealSteveN

Thanks a lot yes that makes sense for stability and sturdiness
Rental is not going to help for the below reasons

I do not want to buy one of these (the price is good -around 220CAD but it will force me to move very often

I also considered renting a scaffolding tower (33CAD/day) but it is also short and too tall for my needs https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/tool-and-vehicle-rental/p.scaffold-tower-5.11072.html

This is why I decided to build my own.

 

That is why it has wheels. The pros stay on the platform and push themselves along..

 

yes but that requires the wheels to be unlocked AND if it is not long enough (and this one is not) and if you are tall enough (and I am) this might send you flying if it moves when you are leaning to reach an area that is not above the platform

 

The FIRST RULE of platforms and ladders is DO NOT REACH BEYOND the platform. There are half high sections of scaffold for rent as well as full sections.

 

Safety rules for these platforms say "lock the wheels" so …
that is probably the SECOND RULE so you need to decide if we play by rules here or not and reevaluate this

The pros stay on the platform and push themselves along..

Will check with HomeDepot and maybe Lowes today to see what they have but I expect this job to take me a while (I will be doing it over the weekends or in the afternoon) so renting the above or buying something bigger might not work

 

Rent the rolling scaffold, we call it a Perry scaffold in these parts, or rent/buy stilts. Anything else makes zero sense

 

Still have a definite learning curve. How about a helper to lock and unlock the wheels and push you around?

 

From your dimensions, it appears that the sides, top, front and back could be made from a single piece of 3/4" plywood set on a simple frame. In essence you are making a box of plywood without the bottom. Cut the plywood sides a bit short so they don't hit the ground. The front and back ends must be plywood too, to prevent racking.

Only 4 feet with pads touch the ground. The 2×4 stretcher is needed to give something on which to screw the plywood. Will be strong, stable, easy to move if you put handles on the ends. Here is the frame. Just wrap it with plywood and get to work.

PS, you could make the stretchers out of 2×2 to save some weight. It's only purpose is for screwing the plywood together more easily. Theoretically, the entire project could be made without any frame (plywood boxes are very strong), but I'd feel safer if there was decent purchase for the screws.

 

Looking again at the stilts price I think that could be an option
I have no idea if I can use them -never tried and I am 6'2" tall so I will have them set at the lowest possible point for a 8' ceiling

 

From your dimensions, it appears that the sides, top, front and back could be made from a single piece of 3/4" plywood set on a simple frame. In essence you are making a box of plywood without the bottom. Cut the plywood sides a bit short so they don't hit the ground. The front and back ends must be plywood too, to prevent racking.

Only 4 feet with pads touch the ground. The 2×4 stretcher is needed to give something on which to screw the plywood. Will be strong, stable, easy to move if you put handles on the ends. Here is the frame. Just wrap it with plywood and get to work.

- Sark

yes that could be an option to build the sides from construction plywood and not to overbuild the frame

 

Get a large roll of bubble wrap to pad yourself in before the trial run with the stilts. Good luck.

 

I've used these. Only 11 lbs, moving around isn't an issue.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Gorilla-Ladders-47-25-in-x-12-in-x-20-in-Aluminum-Slim-Fold-Work-Platform-300-lbs-Load-Capacity-GLWP-47/305590237

 

Get a large roll of bubble wrap to pad yourself in before the trial run with the stilts. Good luck.

- ibewjon

) and good insurance

 

I ve used these. Only 11 lbs, moving around isn t an issue.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Gorilla-Ladders-47-25-in-x-12-in-x-20-in-Aluminum-Slim-Fold-Work-Platform-300-lbs-Load-Capacity-GLWP-47/305590237

- 1thumb

my only problem with these is that I will need a few of them in order not to have to move the all the time
then I need to set them in such a way that I can jump (to say so) from one to the other without risking an accident
the next thing is that I will not be able to return them and selling like 4 of them is going to be a challenge

 

I ve used these. Only 11 lbs, moving around isn t an issue.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Gorilla-Ladders-47-25-in-x-12-in-x-20-in-Aluminum-Slim-Fold-Work-Platform-300-lbs-Load-Capacity-GLWP-47/305590237

- 1thumb

my only problem with these is that I will need a few of them in order not to have to move the all the time
then I need to set them in such a way that I can jump (to say so) from one to the other without risking an accident
the next thing is that I will not be able to return them and selling like 4 of them is going to be a challenge

- MiniMe

Scrap off the spilt mud, clean, and return them after use. You'll be 20" off ground. How old are you, you worried about busting a hip?

 

I ve used these. Only 11 lbs, moving around isn t an issue.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Gorilla-Ladders-47-25-in-x-12-in-x-20-in-Aluminum-Slim-Fold-Work-Platform-300-lbs-Load-Capacity-GLWP-47/305590237

- 1thumb

my only problem with these is that I will need a few of them in order not to have to move the all the time
then I need to set them in such a way that I can jump (to say so) from one to the other without risking an accident
the next thing is that I will not be able to return them and selling like 4 of them is going to be a challenge

- MiniMe

Scrap off the spilt mud, clean, and return them after use. You ll be 20" off ground. How old are you, you worried about busting a hip?

- 1thumb

not that old yet
more worried for an unexpected lateral move of the platform that is under me which would send my flying in the air ..

 

not that old yet
more worried for an unexpected lateral move of the platform that is under me which would send my flying in the air ..

- MiniMe

I've used before. They're stable like that. No skid/slide rubber feet

 

How about strapping one of these to each foot ?
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/hdx-heavy-duty-milk-crate-with-reinforced-handles/1000816782

OMG !!
https://dishfunctionaldesigns.blogspot.com/2019/05/milk-crate-magic-neat-things-you-can.html

 

I have seen tapers standing on a 5 gal plastic bucket. They could roll it from edge to edge and move like that. Then I read in the paper how a taper in Tennessee was doing that, lost his balance and plunged headfirst to the concrete sidewalk 3 floors below. The sidewalk wad not damaged. Unfortunately, the taper died.

 

I have seen tapers standing on a 5 gal plastic bucket. They could roll it from edge to edge and move like that. Then I read in the paper how a taper in Tennessee was doing that, lost his balance and plunged headfirst to the concrete sidewalk 3 floors below. The sidewalk wad not damaged. Unfortunately, the taper died.

- ibewjon

and nothing like that could happen with stilts right ?

 

putting a couple of those under a plywood sheet is going to solve all my problems. They are 10bucks a piece and I can return them if I need to

 

Just stay well clear of windows.

 

If I built the stand you described, I think I'd put carpet strips across the runners to make it easier to slide as well as protect the hardwood floors. I'd probably position that bottom stretcher (across the narrow distance) to the top of the long runners, near each end. That keep them away from the floor but still providing the rigidity.